The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-16
A HEROINE OF TWO WARS.
I he Romantic Life Story of Old "CraZy
Peggy.''-Her Career as a Spy in the
War Between the States.
From tie !Ne,c York Nail and Express.

1here QlcG IN an humble apartment
in this city tue other day a woman
with a remarkable history, if her
statements are trustworthy. Even
her neighbors did not know her real
name, and it is from friend of the
woman, who Lad heard her history
frequently, that tile story comss.
She was the daughter of an English
lord and heiress to moderate estate.
On an adjoining estate lived another
lord, to whose son she was betrothed.
When the Crimean war broke out the
lover enlisted. For few months
after his departure letters were re-
ceived with regularity from him, and
he seem9d to be in good health and
spirits. Suddenly all correspon-
dence ceased. His name did not ap-
pear in the death lists which were
published in the London papers, and
it was evident he was either sick or a
prisoner. In an agony of fear and
anxiety she could stand the suspense
no longer, and determined to 60 in
quest Of him. Her parents, however,
forbade it, and her friends dissuaded
her ior short time. But the con.
tinued silence proved unbearable,
and she finally stole from home one
night, secured an appointment as
nurse, and before her relatives had
obtained a clue to her whereabouts
was on her way to the front. Reach
ing the Bosphorus, she was placed in
one Of the hospitals at a small town
near the border. She scanned with
eagerness the faces of the sick and
dying, but found no sign of him she
sought. Remembering that he might
be in the same condition as were the
poor soldiers around her, she entered
into the work Of ministering with all
her heart. Her efforts were reward
ed in an unexpected way, for one day,
in talking with one of the wounded
men, she ascertained that be had
been in the same regiment with her
lover, and that the latter was a cap
tive in the hands Of the Russians.
From that moment, although quietly
continuing her nursing, she bent all
her facilities to planning some scheme
by which she might gain access to
her lovers place of confinement.
She fna@Jtss concluded 10 assume the
role of spy, and requested permis-
sion from the commanding officer to
act in that capacity. He at first re-
fused, but upon her pleading earnest
ly he gave her consent and supplied
her with papers necessary for her
passing the English lines.
BRAVE WORK FOR A LOVER.
She disguised herself and pretend.
ed she was half-witted, and by that
means got within the Russian terri.
tory. So artfully did she play her
part that she became quite favorite
with the soldiers, who styled her
"Crazy Peggy" and allowed her to
Go as she pleased. It was many
weeks before she learned the town in
which her betrothed was prisoner.
BY neat stratagem she induced the
keeper of tie prison 10 give her &C.
cess to the cells. The jailor thought
her harmless creature, and permit
i ted her to chat st will with the En-.
glish captives. She soon disclosed
her identity to her lover, and togeth'
er they planned an escape. On a
dark stormy night she acted more in
sanely than ever, and in one of her
fits snatched the keys from the belt
of the wardeu. Running down the
stairs, she unlocked several of the
doors, including the one behind which
her betrothed was confined. In an
instant he was out, and hidden in q
dark corner, he donned a Russian uni.
form furnished by the faithful girl.
The jailer gave chase to "Crazy
Peggy and regained the keys, but
not before her lover had walked up
the stairs and into the open air.
Peggy" followed him, and they fed
through the darkness until they
reached the picket line. Here the
password, which had been discovered
by Peggy" enabled them to gain
the open space between the rival
armies. An English coat concealed
beneath her clothes was put on and
the Russian uniform discarded. In
safety the lines were passed, and the
officer returned to Ills command, So
well executed had been all of "Peg.
gy's" plans, and so anxious was her
betrothed to continue in service, that
they both remained in the army, she
as a spy and he as an officer. They
were married by chaplain, however,
before entering again into active duty
y IL.